To the editor:

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” This segment from the First Amendment of the Constitution has been under serious consideration when debating the teaching of evolution versus creation theory in schools. If the Kansas Board of Education undermines the teaching of evolution and incorporates the teachings of intelligent design into the curriculum, the act could be viewed as unconstitutional.

Furthermore, our nation was founded on such religious freedoms as the First Amendment provides and teaching the creation theory would counter the significant constitutional principle of separation of church and state. Intelligent design not only challenges the theory of evolution, it also favors the teachings of Christianity and ignores many other religious or non-religious beliefs. If the board of education decides to educate students with the theory of a higher being or greater force creating existence, it should also incorporate the theory of reincarnation, polytheistic theories, etc., in order to be equal and fair to everybody.

Lastly, science studies the realm of the natural world and disregards the supernatural world because natural existence can be tested. Experiments and studies can be shown to students demonstrating adaptation and evolution. How does a science teacher illustrate to students that there exists the possibility of a higher being or greater force that rules the universe? Read the Bible aloud in class?

Kansas needs to consider these issues before incorporating religion into science.

Katie Marten,

Lawrence